The American automaker worked closely with Cummins to improve the 6.7-liter diesel engine, allowing it to produce an additional 30 lb-ft of torque. The updates to the engine include higher boost limits through a variable geometry turbo, and flow rate increases through the fuel delivery system.

In addition, Ram announced a 30,000-lb fifth-wheel towing uprating that is made possible by an in-house hitch design from Ram Engineering. The upgraded hitch allows the Ram 3500 to haul the heaviest trailers in the industry, allowing customers to move away from Class 4 and Class 5 trucks to haul trailers that would otherwise be limited to 24,000 pounds. Pricing for the newly-engineered hitch design is $1,395.

FiatChrysler Automobiles (FCA) has won approval to sell 2017 model year diesel vehicles.

The automaker has been under fire, with U.S. and California regulators alleging FCA’s older vehicles had undisclosed emissions controls, allowing the vehicles to emit excess pollution in normal driving. FCA has refuted the idea and now hopes the software fix it is using on 2017 model year vehicles can be the foundation for a fix on older 2014-2016 diesel vehicles. The company restarted production earlier this month in anticipation of approval and promises the software update will have no effect on the fuel economy ratings or vehicle performance.

FCA has been adamant that it does not fall in the same category as Volkswagen, and never created software to cheat emissions rules. Both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has accused FCA of using undisclosed software in 104,000 Jeep Grand Cherokees and Ram 1500 trucks in the U.S. from model years 2014 to 2016.

]]>http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2017/07/fca-can-once-again-sell-its-diesel-vehicles.html/feed1more]]>Top 10 Most Stolen Vehicles in the US in 2016http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2017/07/top-10-most-stolen-vehicles-of-2016-nicb-hot-wheels.html
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2017/07/top-10-most-stolen-vehicles-of-2016-nicb-hot-wheels.html#commentsThu, 13 Jul 2017 13:11:16 +0000http://www.autoguide.com/?p=514228Top 10 Most Stolen Vehicles in the US in 2016A lot of familiar faces on this list. more]]>

The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) has released its Hot Wheels list.

The annual list reveals the most stolen vehicles in the U.S., examining vehicle theft data submitted by law enforcement to the National Crime Information Center. This year’s list sees some familiar faces if you’ve been following NICB’s Hot Wheels over the years, but the organization does note some of these vehicles are older, pre-smart key production models. Since the introduction of smart keys and other anti-theft technology, thefts of certain models have dropped significantly.

10. Jeep Cherokee / Grand Cherokee

A total 9,245 Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee SUVs were stolen last year, with the 2000 model year being most popular with 898 units stolen. Although the Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee weren’t the most stolen vehicle in any particular state, it was the third-most stolen in West Virginia.

9. Chevrolet Impala

With 9,749 units stolen last year, the Chevrolet Impala finishes in 9th place. The most popular model year was 2008, which saw 1,013 cars stolen. It was the second-most stolen car in Illinois and topped thefts in Michigan.

8. Toyota Corolla

The Toyota Corolla was the third-most stolen 2016 model year car last year with 982 thefts, but it was the 2015 model year that saw the most units stolen at 1,070. A total of 11,989 Toyota Corolla sedans were stolen last year.

7. Dodge Full-Size Pickup

Full-size Dodge pickup trucks were also popular among thieves, although these days, they’re known as Ram pickup trucks. The most frequently stolen was the 2001 model year with 1,288 units taken from their owners. A total of 12,128 Dodge trucks were stolen in 2016.

6. Nissan Altima

The 2016 model year Nissan Altima was the second-most stolen car last year with 1,063 thefts. But looking across all model years, the Altima saw 12,221 units stolen and the 2015 model was the most popular at 1,673 units. The Altima wasn’t the most stolen vehicle in any particular state, but it did come in second in Florida.

5. Toyota Camry

Considering the Toyota Camry is one of the best-selling cars in America, it’s no surprise it’s also one of the most stolen. Last year, the 2016 model year Toyota Camry was the most stolen vehicle with 1,113 total thefts. But overall, the Camry saw 16,732 units stolen last year with the 2016 model being most popular. The sedan was the most stolen vehicle in Rhode Island and second-most in Virginia.

4. Chevrolet Full-Size Pickup

Chevrolet full-size pickups are also popular among thieves, with a total of 31,238 stolen last year. The most popular model year was 2004 with 2,107 units. It was the most stolen vehicle in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, and Wyoming.

3. Ford Full-Size Pickup

Ford‘s full-size pickup is the most stolen truck in the U.S., which like the Camry, is no surprise considering the F-150 is the best-selling vehicle in the U.S. A total of 32,721 units were stolen last year, with the 2006 model year being most popular. Ford’s trucks also ended up on the most stolen 2016 model year list with 738 units. It was the most stolen vehicle in Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, New Mexico, South Carolina, Texas, and West Virginia.

2. Honda Civic

A familiar face on the NICB Hot Wheels list, the Honda Civic comes in second with 49,547 units stolen. The most popular model year was 1998 with 7,578 thefts. The Civic was the most stolen vehicle in Arizona, California, Connecticut, and Hawaii.

1. Honda Accord

Topping the list yet again is the Honda Accord with 50,427 thefts last year. The most popular model year was 2007 with 7,527 units, but the Accord is one of those models that have benefited from new technology such as smart keys. Despite being the most stolen vehicle last year, the 2016 model year Honda Accord only saw 493 thefts. The Honda Accord was the most stolen vehicle in Colorado, Delaware, Washington, D.C., Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, and Washington.

]]>http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2017/07/top-10-most-stolen-vehicles-of-2016-nicb-hot-wheels.html/feed2more]]>Ram 1500 Diesel Production Resumes Despite No Certificationhttp://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2017/07/ram-1500-diesel-production-resumes-despite-no-certification.html
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2017/07/ram-1500-diesel-production-resumes-despite-no-certification.html#respondThu, 06 Jul 2017 19:57:16 +0000http://www.autoguide.com/?p=511406Ram 1500 Diesel Production Resumes Despite No CertificationThe American automaker is still waiting for approval to sell its diesel pickup trucks. more]]>Fiat Chrysler has resumed production of the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel even though it has yet to receive certification for the engine for the 2017 model year.

Production of the diesel-powered Ram 1500 pickup truck stopped in the middle of last year, after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) accused FCA for using undeclared emissions software on the 2014-2016 EcoDiesel Ram 1500 and Jeep Grand Cherokee. In January, the EPA gave an official Notice of Violation to FCA over the software, saying the automaker illegally altered vehicle emissions under certain circumstances. A civil suit was filed against FCA in May.

The automaker has been adamant that it is working on clarifying “issues related to the Company’s emissions control technology,” and sought certifications for its Ram 1500 diesels in May. It was around this time that FCA said it has developed updated emissions software calibrations that it believes address the concerns of the EPA and the California Air Resources Board (CARB).

Workers at the company’s Warren Truck Assembly Plant in Michigan have told Automotive News that the plant is back to producing the diesel pickups, making less than two dozen per shift. The model was previously marketed as EcoDiesel and it’s unclear if Ram will resume using the nameplate once the certified pickups hit the market.

It’s likely FCA has resumed production in order to refill inventories as soon as Ram receives certification for the updated diesel trucks.

The lawsuit, filed by Hagens Berman, claims that a defect in the engine can lead to lower gas mileage, higher emissions outputs and expensive repairs.

In all those trucks fitted with a 6.7-liter Cummins diesel engine, the suit claims that the selective catalytic converter (SCR) system breaks down, allowing the filter to get clogged, resulting in the need for more fuel to be burned. In an attempted fix, FCA dealers have been re-flashing the computers on these trucks, but the suit claims that this also prompts the truck to burn more fuel to keep the filter clean.

In total, the lawsuit says that the fuel economy on these trucks has been dropping as much as 25 percent.

Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Hagens Berman is going after FCA and Cummins for “charges of fraudulent concealment, breach of warranty, violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), and violations of several state consumer protection laws,” according to the firm.

Further, Hagens Berman claims there is an issue with the washcoat sealant applied to the SCR which contributed to the high emissions, a problem that FCA has known about since 2014 but has not acted on.

Currently FCA and Cummins are suing each other over the issue, as the automaker believes the engine builder should have to foot the bill for the recall. Cummins, of course, disagrees, and blames FCA for the problem. “FCA refuses [to effect the recall] for one reason – money. FCA is holding both Cummins and its own customers hostage to FCA’s commercial demands,” according to Cummins.

A separate class-action lawsuit has already been brought against FCA and Cummins by Hagens Berman, claiming that these diesel engines also have emissions cheating software in them. And on top of that, FCA is also under fire from the U.S. government for alleged emissions cheating software in its smaller 3.0-liter diesel vehicles.

]]>http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2017/07/fca-cummins-sued-inflated-fuel-economy-numbers.html/feed0more]]>Ram Rolls Out New Sport, Big Horn Special Editions for 2018http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2017/06/ram-rolls-new-sport-big-horn-special-editions-2018.html
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2017/06/ram-rolls-new-sport-big-horn-special-editions-2018.html#respondThu, 29 Jun 2017 19:09:06 +0000http://www.autoguide.com/?p=508720Ram Rolls Out New Sport, Big Horn Special Editions for 2018Including, oddly enough, a Ram HD Sport. more]]>The Ram 1500 and Ram HD may be the oldest domestic pickups currently on offer, but that hasn’t stopped Fiat Chrysler from trying to keep them relevant with new special editions and appearance packages.

FCA today rolled out the updated 2018 Ram 1500 Sport, along with the new Big Horn Black and Lone Star Black editions.

The Ram 1500 Sport has received a new body-color grille with Ram lettering, which is joined by other body color trim pieces for a monochromatic look. Buyers will also be offered a choice of black wheels and black badges or polished aluminum wheels and chrome badges.

The Big Horn Black and Lone Star Black editions, the latter of which is available in Texas only, offer a more sinister look with a black exterior body color, black trim, black badges, black wheels and black headlamps bezels. It’s offered on Ram 1500 models only.

Ram has introduced a new range-topping model for its popular pickup trucks.

The Ram Limited Tungsten trim will be offered on the Ram 1500, Ram 2500, and Ram 3500 single- and dual-rear-wheel models, Crew Cab and Mega Cab (Heavy Duty), four-wheel-drive and two-wheel-drive, and short- and long-wheelbase models. They will start heading to dealers starting in the third quarter of 2017 with the Ram 1500 Limited Tungsten Edition starting from $56,515 including destination.

Building on the popular Limited trim, Ram Tungsten features a segment-first Light Greystone suede headliner and ultra-premium “Natura Plus” Frost and Indigo-colored premium leather throughout the cabin, found on the seats, instrument panel, steering wheel, center arm rest, and doors. The Tungsten models also boast Indigo-colored carpet with rubber floormats and snap-out Frost and Indigo carpeted inserts. Completing the luxurious cabin are real wood interior components and unique badges.

On the outside, there’s a Tungsten Chrome grille up front with large R-A-M lettering, a design modeled after the Limited trim. It also adds a sport hood on the 1500 pickup, along with body-color matched bumpers, mirrors, door handles, and running boards. The headlights feature a Black surround from the Sport model, while across the back, body-colored R-A-M letters cover the tailgate. There are also Tungsten Chrome accents and badging, while Satin-painted Limited wheels round off the corners.

Korean automakers top this year’s J.D. Power U.S. Initial Quality Study.

New vehicle quality hit an all-time high this year, improving eight percent compared to last year. The annual study measures the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100) during the first 90 days of ownership, with a lower score reflecting higher quality. Quality improved across seven of the eight categories measured, with 27 of the 33 automakers in the study improving their quality compared to last year.

This year’s study is based on responses from nearly 80,000 buyers and lessees of new 2017 model year vehicles. They were surveyed after 90 days of ownership and the study was fielded from February through May 2017. This year’s industry average improved from 105 to 97. Here are the top 10 automakers that have the best initial quality score starting with number 10 and increasing in quality as the list progresses.

Nissan

Nissan once again finishes in 10th place, after scoring 93 in this year’s study. Last year, the Japanese automaker scored 101 compared to the industry average of 105.

Lincoln

Like Nissan, Lincoln stayed consistent year-over-year with a ninth place finish in 2017. This year, Ford’s luxury division scored 92 compared to last year’s 96.

Hyundai / Chevrolet / BMW (tie)

Hyundai saw a drastic drop after rising to third in last year’s study with a score of 92. This year, the Korean automaker finishes in eighth place after owners reported 88 problems per 100 vehicles. In Hyundai’s defense, however, the company is actually tied with two other automakers.

Chevrolet, which also scored 88 this year is tied with Hyundai and one other automaker. Last year, the American automaker landed in sixth place with a score of 95.

The third automaker with a score of 88 is BMW. In 2016, the German automaker finished in fifth, ahead of rivals Mercedes-Benz and Audi. This year, it does the same.

Ram / Ford (tie)

One of the most improved automakers on this year’s list is Ram, rising to fifth place with a score of 86. Last year, Ram performed worse than the industry average with a score of 114.

Ford also improved from last year’s study, where it finished 11th overall with a score of 102. This year, the American automaker rose to fourth place with a score of 86.

Porsche

Porsche slips a spot to third place this year, after finishing second in 2016 with a score of 84. The German automaker, known for its sports cars, scored 78 in this year’s study.

Genesis

Hyundai’s new luxury brand is off to a hot start. Genesis wasn’t represented in last year’s study, but this year it quickly rose to second place with a score of 77. The separation of Genesis models from Hyundai’s lineup likely explains why Hyundai dropped a few spots this year.

Kia

For the second year in a row, Kia takes top honors in the J.D. Power U.S. Initial Quality Study. This year, the Korean automaker scored 72 compared to last year’s 83.

]]>http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2017/06/top-10-best-automakers-in-initial-quality-2017.html/feed3more]]>EPA Has Suspected FCA Of Emissions Cheating Since 2015http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2017/06/epa-has-suspected-fca-of-emissions-cheating-since-2015.html
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2017/06/epa-has-suspected-fca-of-emissions-cheating-since-2015.html#respondMon, 19 Jun 2017 16:13:02 +0000http://www.autoguide.com/?p=501584EPA Has Suspected FCA Of Emissions Cheating Since 2015The agency alleges FCA's EcoDiesel engine uses emissions control software. more]]>The Environmental Protection Agency first began to suspect Fiat Chrysler of using an illegal emissions control device on its EcoDiesel V6 engine back in 2015, it has been revealed.

According to emails obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, EPA regulators first approached FCA about its alleged use of an emissions control device in November of 2015. One of the emails, sent by EPA director Byron Bunker in January of 2016, said how the agency was “very concerned about the unacceptably slow pace” of FCA to address the high nitrogen oxide levels produced by its 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 engine.

Mike Dahl, FCA’s head of vehicle safety and regulatory compliance in the U.S., responded to the EPA’s email saying it was working hard to address the matter and recognized the consequences that may come if it the automaker was found to be using a cheat device. The email exchange occurred just months after VW admitted to using an illegal emissions control software in its 2.0-liter TDI engines, which eventually resulted in the automaker recalling 500,000 cars and agreeing to pay $4.3 billion in penalties.

FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne has said he doesn’t believe his company used an emissions control device with the specific intent of breaking the law. Last week the Italian-Canadian executive said he is “confident of the fact that there was no intention on our part to set up a defeat device that was even remotely similar to what (Volkswagen) had in their cars,” and that he hopes regulators will approve a software fix that will re-certify the EcoDiesel engine.

FCA has been accused of failing to disclose the presence of an emissions control device in 2014-2016 model year EcoDiesel-equipped Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs and Ram 1500 pickup trucks. The EPA and the U.S. Justice Department allege the device alters the engine’s emissions output in certain driving scenarios, resulting in lower-than-accurate nitrogen oxide levels in lab tests. FCA’s proposed software fix would alter the engine’s performance to adhere to U.S. emissions regulations in all driving conditions.

It’s beginning to look like FiatChrysler Automobiles (FCA) has its own dieselgate scandal brewing.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a civil lawsuit today accusing FCA of using software to bypass emission controls on 104,000 diesel vehicles in the U.S. FCA responded in a statement saying it “intends to defend itself vigorously, particularly against any claims that the Company engaged in any deliberate scheme to install defeat devices to cheat U.S. emissions tests.”

The vehicles in question are the 2014-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ram 1500 diesel vehicles fit with 3.0-liter diesel engines. The EPA claims that at least eight pieces of emissions control software were not disclosed to them when the engine was first approved, software that allows these engines to break emissions limits.

FCA says it has been working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for many months in order to clarify issues related to its emissions control technology. There has been extensive testing of vehicles, including the 2014-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ram 1500 diesel models.

Following that testing, FCA announced it has developed updated emissions software calibrations that it believes address the concerns of EPA and CARB. Last week, FCA filed for diesel vehicle emissions certification with regulators for 2017 model year Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ram 1500 diesel vehicles with the update software and said it would be added to all the affected vehicles if it was approved. That process is ongoing and FCA continues to work with EPA and CARB to get its 2017 diesel vehicles certified.

The lawsuit filed by the DOJ also names Fiat Chrysler’s unit V.M. Motori SpA, which designed the diesel engine in question. The lawsuit claims the automaker used undeclared “defeat devices” or auxiliary emissions controls in its vehicles that result in “much higher” than allowable levels of nitrogen oxide, or NOx pollution.

]]>http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2017/05/feds-sue-fca-over-alleged-diesel-emissions-cheating.html/feed3more]]>Faith in the Product: Ram Encourages Hijinks with New Power Wagonhttp://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2017/05/ram-power-wagon-the-exception-to-the-rules.html
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2017/05/ram-power-wagon-the-exception-to-the-rules.html#commentsWed, 17 May 2017 17:01:29 +0000http://www.autoguide.com/?p=487416Faith in the Product: Ram Encourages Hijinks with New Power WagonNot many automakers would authorize such last-minute adventures, but not many trucks can do what a Power Wagon can. more]]> [See image gallery at www.autoguide.com]

Media drive programs are, for the most part, carefully crafted events designed to showcase a vehicle’s abilities.

Tons of time and energy is invested in planning routes and automotive journalists are rarely encouraged to deviate from what’s been plotted. There are, of course, a few exceptions. And rumor began to swirl on a recent Ram Trucks event that one such exception could come to fruition.

After spending a day — and a successful one, I might add — chasing a pack of 2017 Ram 2500Power Wagons around the Arizona desert behind the wheel of a Ram 1500 Rebel, I had reluctantly resigned myself to the fact that our off-road escapades were all but over. And then suddenly a glimmer of hope emerged. Buzz began to grow about a last-minute trip to Cinder Hills, a sprawling 13,500-acre complex of trails in the wilderness outside Flagstaff, Ariz.

Such an unplanned excursion is usually a tough sell to the staff in charge of organizing these events. After all, these are the folks who are responsible for the safety of both the attendees and the vehicles they’re driving; an unplanned excursion could put both at risk. It could also be a pretty big PR disaster if something were to go wrong, which could be anything from a truck getting stuck to someone getting injured or worse.

Thinking I was going to have to turn the screws on the Ram Trucks team if we had any chance at a second day of off-road adventure, I was pleasantly surprised to find absolutely no resistance to the idea. Better yet, we were to be joined by Ram’s brand manager in charge of HD trucks, Jeff Johnson, and its media relations guru, Nick Cappa. Not only would the two make for great company, but they’d both be great shields in the event things went awry.

Cinders and Saints

With our herd from the previous day thinned, we were joined by off-road instructor extraordinaire Nena Barlow, who graciously agreed to lead us once again into the grueling-yet-rewarding Arizona desert. The short drive northwest of Flagstaff included a quick stop at a gas station for us to grab some snacks and air down our trucks’ tires — in this case, from 65 psi to about 35 psi. As we would soon find out, the loose-pack cinder, a type of rock created from cooled lava, meant traction would be at a premium. A wider footprint, then, would serve us well in the long run.

In the interest of full disclosure, Ram has been to this neck of the woods before. In fact, it was just a couple of years ago that the brand brought a group of journalists to Cinder Hills for the launch of the Ram 1500 Rebel. That fact meant the area had been vetted, but it didn’t make it any less daunting. Yet there we were, on a whim, ready to tackle undulating trails and aggressive hill climbs that are for anyone but the faint of heart.

After traversing a few miles of trails, we encountered our first real challenge: A long hill climb that required steady throttle input to make it in one go. Get too generous with the gas pedal and run the risk of burying the truck axle-deep; scale it back too far, though, and momentum can be killed in an instant.

An Obstacle of Volcanic Proportions

The entire trek was fairly gentle to this point, the extra link in the Power Wagon’s front control arms barely necessary for overcoming what obstacles we had encountered. It was also clear that the Rebel could have easily handled everything we’d thrown at the truck so far, particularly after the previous day’s endeavor. That all changed as we worked our way along the ridge and towards a volcanic crater the size of a football stadium.

Like synchronized divers, we dropped into the bowl in sequence — and perhaps before properly assessing the situation. Once inside, the 7,000-lb Power Wagons began slipping and sliding back down the cinder-covered sides in a hurry. More air was let out of many of the trucks’ tires — the ones mounted on the Power Wagon I was driving were down as low as 19 psi — as we collectively searched for traction that wasn’t there.

Going against all survival instincts, the best tactic was to drop the hammer and let the the truck skitter sideways in what was essentially a sustained drift on a 45-degree slope, building momentum steadily before attempting to slingshot your way out. Some punished their Power Wagons like they were trophy trucks, bouncing the brutes around like tin toys; others took a far more staid approach and were stuck for much longer.

Powering Through

One at a time, we powered out of the bowl until mine was the last truck standing down below. With all eyes on me, I knew my first attempt had to be my best attempt as everyone was ready to get out from under the scorching sun. I dropped the hammer with determination and let the 6.4-liter Hemi under the hood roar, leaving nothing in my wake but a cloud of dust and the remnants of a basketball-sized boulder that met the bottom-side of the beefy rear axle before exploding into a million little pieces.

A quick inspection of the trucks was performed and, perhaps surprisingly, none sustained much damage outside of a bent valance on one truck and some scuffs that would buff out on others. And so we headed back impressed not only with how much poise the Power Wagon handled Part 2 of our Arizona adventure, but just how much confidence the Ram folks have in their products. Not many automakers would authorize such a last-minute adventure, let alone one to such an uncharted area. But then again, not many trucks can do what a Power Wagon can.

]]>http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2017/05/ram-power-wagon-the-exception-to-the-rules.html/feed1more]]>1 Million Ram Trucks Recalled for Potentially Deadly Issuehttp://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2017/05/1-million-ram-pickup-trucks-recalled-for-potentially-deadly-issue.html
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2017/05/1-million-ram-pickup-trucks-recalled-for-potentially-deadly-issue.html#respondFri, 12 May 2017 14:37:20 +0000http://www.autoguide.com/?p=4865821 Million Ram Trucks Recalled for Potentially Deadly IssueFCA is recalling about 1 million Ram pickup trucks in the U.S. more]]>FCA is recalling about 1 million Ram pickup trucks in the U.S. due to a software issue that could prevent air bags from deploying.

Certain model year 2013 to 2016 Ram 1500 and 2500 pickups and 2014 to 2016 Ram 3500 trucks are affected by the recall, which is linked to one death, two injuries and two accidents, according to the automaker.

The issue involves faulty software that helps control the deployment of restraint systems in rollover situations. In affected trucks, the software may incorrectly conclude that a sensor has failed, which will then disable the side air bags and seatbelt pretensioners for that ignition cycle.

This recall affects about 216,007 vehicles in Canada, 21,668 in Mexico, and 21,530 outside NAFTA regions. FCA will notify customers of the recall and be advised when they can schedule service.